By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – United Federal Credit Union has announced its plans for a major renovation that will commence in late September or early October and be completed in the Spring of 2008.
The bank, located at the corner of Sycamore and Front streets, will remain open during the project, which is currently in the final design and engineering stages.
According to Donna Rohrer, vice president of marketing for the bank, renovations to the Niles branch will include a new entrance, which will face Front Street instead of Second Street, as it does now. The current entrance will remain accessible, as expanded parking and attractive landscaping are added to the north and west of the building.
"We are doing the renovations to update the facility and make sure we have the latest technology, services and capacity to be able to best serve our members in the Niles community," Rohrer continued. "We also want to contribute in a positive way to the downtown area of Niles and create something that will add to the aesthetics and the other exciting things that are happening in Niles."
The branch will feature an open banking environment with two teller pods, each accommodating two teller stations. The latest financial service technology will be employed, including self-service Internet kiosks, a self-serve coin counter, electronic product displays on large plasma screens and state-of-the-art electronic and video security systems. A community room with a separate entrance will be featured for member educational sessions, seminars and community activities. The drive through service will be expanded to include four lanes in addition to a full service ATM machine and a secure night depository.
"Our members will benefit from it because we will have a higher level of technology available. We are focusing this on service, convenience, ease of access, ease of use of the branch, as well as accessing their accounts through electronic means. We really have carefully designed this with our members in mind," Rohrer added.
The architect for the expansion is Venture Resource Associates, Inc. of Park Ridge, Ill.
United Federal Credit Union has served its members since 1949. Presently, United Federal Credit Union consists of 76,000 member/owners worldwide, and manages assets in excess of $741 million.
Its corporate offices and main branch are located in Saint Joseph, with additional Michigan branches located in Buchanan, Holland, Berrien Springs, Stevensville and Benton Harbor.